The Glenn Beck Program

Episode: Trump’s GLOBAL Regime Change Plan EXPLAINED
Guests: Nick Shirley & Mariana Atencio
Date: January 6, 2026
Host: Glenn Beck
Blaze Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This episode centers on Glenn Beck’s theory that the actions of Donald Trump’s administration—particularly relating to Venezuela and broader foreign policy—constitute a form of “global regime change,” but not in the conventional sense. The show explores how Trump's maneuvers are shifting power dynamics away from both the WEF (World Economic Forum) and Chinese-led coalitions, refocusing power in the Western Hemisphere under an “America First” model.
Key topics include the strategic use of energy resources, combatting oligarchs and cartel influence, the role of banks in international crime, and the unfolding fraud scandal among Somali daycare providers in Minnesota. The episode features investigative journalist Nick Shirley, who broke the Minnesota daycare fraud story, U.S. Senator Mike Lee for constitutional analysis, Goldie Gamari on the Iranian unrest, and Venezuelan journalist Mariana Atanasio for insights from Venezuela.

Main Themes and Discussion Points

1. Glenn Beck’s Regime Change Theory

Time Stamps: 03:00 – 24:00

• Beck opens with an assertion that Trump’s recent actions, especially in Venezuela, are not about simple regime change, but an attempt to reshape the global order.
• He argues Trump is creating a third global path: neither the totalitarian axis of China/Russia/Iran, nor the WEF's corporate oligarchy, but an “America First” world order.
• “Donald Trump has given up on Europe. It's over. They can go their own way. They're going the wrong direction. They're never going to change.” (08:36)
• Emphasizes the importance of US control over energy resources (oil, minerals), not to fuel corporate profits but to starve adversaries like China and to empower the West.
• “We're going to build the arsenal so this hemisphere does not have to worry and depend on Europe or China… we're going to make sure this hemisphere stands.” (63:20)
• Calls this reorientation a form of global “regime change,” not by toppling governments, but by reordering financial, energy, and strategic alliances.

2. Strategic Use of Oil, Minerals, and Banking

Time Stamps: 06:00 – 24:00; 24:09 – 40:46

• Trump’s moves in Venezuela are meant to cut off Chinese access to oil, not to benefit US corporations.
• Canada could be squeezed economically—US control of Venezuelan oil reduces demand for Canadian oil unless Canada complies with certain US demands.
• Argues banking networks are the lynchpin for both criminal cartels and global oligarchs: “If we don't take care of the banks, you can't take care of anything. The center is the banking system.” (34:06)
• Suggests oligarchs/banks are the real power behind both global crime and institutions like the WEF.

3. Insight into Minnesota’s Somali Daycare Fraud

Nick Shirley Interview, 47:08 – 63:52

• Nick Shirley recounts exposing massive daycare fraud in Minnesota, where state and federal funds were diverted, mostly by Somali-run operations.
• Shirley describes being threatened and demonized for exposing the truth, and how state officials and the media have tried to frame the story as racist rather than a fraud issue.
• “It's just about money being stolen. Now you're being called anti-migrant, anti-Islam… it just happens to be that 89% of the Somalian population is committing the fraud in Minnesota.” – Nick Shirley (47:47)
• His videos showing empty daycare centers broke through by providing visceral proof, sparking a public and law enforcement response.
• “You literally just go knock on the door… no one answers; if they do, there are no kids… they can't give you a brochure.” – Nick Shirley (48:45)
• Glenn and Shirley speculate banks and politicians had to be complicit or turning a blind eye.

4. Constitutionality of Trump’s Actions in Venezuela

Sen. Mike Lee Interview, 66:16 – 78:51

• Beck brings in Mike Lee to analyze whether Trump’s approach in Venezuela—arresting Maduro, not full regime change—was constitutional.
• Lee affirms the operation was an execution of an arrest warrant, not an act of war:
  “This was the execution of a duly authorized arrest warrant based on US criminal charges… This is not war.” – Sen. Mike Lee (67:17)
• Lee references past actions such as the Manuel Noriega arrest as precedent (69:47).
• Doubts and constitutional concerns would only arise if this expanded into war or military occupation.
• Lee and Beck discuss the possible implications of the US designating Canada, Panama, and Greenland as protectorates. Lee says, “Without knowing more details… it’s difficult to say… but lots of things within his power short of war.” (71:20)

5. Iranian Protests and the Impact of US Policy

Goldie Gamari Interview, 89:17 – 106:18

• Canadian politician Goldie Gamari discusses unprecedented mass protests in Iran, aimed at overthrowing the Islamic regime.
• She argues this is not simply about economics, but a rejection of decades of religious oppression:
  “People are rising up to overthrow the shackles of Islamic oppression that has held them hostage for the last 47 years.” – Goldie Gamari (89:49)
• Praises Trump's strong warning against repression of protesters as giving hope to Iranians:
  “One thing that gave Iranians a lot of hope is President Trump's statement… the United States is locked and loaded. That actually gave Iranians so much hope.” (93:25)
• Notes the difference this time: the internet has stayed on (usually shut off for massacres); outside actors likely helping maintain connectivity.
• She believes the path forward is a Nuremberg-type trial, not violent purges.
• “We need to make sure all eyes are on Iran… and pray for the Iranian people.” (105:18)

6. On-the-Ground in Venezuela: Immediate Aftermath and Cautious Optimism

Mariana Atanasio Interview, 111:46 – 122:43

• Venezuelan journalist Mariana Atanasio testifies to widespread fear, but also hope after the arrest of Maduro.
• Recounts generational trauma and brain drain due to the regime:
  “There’s a lot of fear on the ground… anyone who celebrates or is chatting about it on their phones can be detained.” (114:48)
• Says Trump’s decision to avoid chaotic regime change, instead pressuring for a transitional phase and fair elections, has broad Venezuelan support.
• “He [Trump] just did with the Maduro capture I 100% back. And most Venezuelans feel the way that I do. Why? This is a tyrant who ran our country into the ground.” – Mariana Atanasio (112:08)
• Internal power brokers (especially Cubans) still hold much of the military and security infrastructure.
• Assertions that even many who disagreed with Trump on other policies support the way the Venezuela intervention is playing out.

Notable Quotes & Key Timestamps

On Trump’s new global order:

• “He's not changing a regime at all—he's changing the global regime.” – Glenn Beck (07:44)
• “We're building the arsenal of democracy… power, tech, rare earth minerals.” – Glenn Beck (63:23)

On banks and oligarchs:

• “If we don't take care of the banks, you can't take care of anything. You're just nibbling at the edges—the center is the banking system.” – Glenn Beck (34:06)

Nick Shirley, on facing threats and exposing fraud:

• “Now it's been painted as a race issue when it's really not a race issue… you had nothing to do with race or religion.” – Nick Shirley (47:47)
• “You just go knock on the door… if they do answer, there are no kids.” (48:45)

Mike Lee on constitutionality:

• “This is not war… This was the execution of a duly authorized arrest warrant based on US criminal charges.” – Mike Lee (67:17)

Goldie Gamari on the Iranian people’s hope:

• “President Trump is more popular in Iran than he is in the United States.” – Goldie Gamari (93:25)

Mariana Atanasio on Venezuelan sentiment:

• “Most Venezuelans feel the way I do… This is a tyrant who ran our country into the ground.” – Mariana Atanasio (112:08)
• “Frankly, our oil has been used to buy support from Russia, China, Iran, Cuba. I'd much rather give it to the United States.” (117:03)

Important Segments (Approximate Timestamps)

• [03:00–24:00] Beck's Chalkboard Theory: Regime Change, Oil, Global Strategy
• [47:08–63:52] Nick Shirley on Minnesota Somali Daycare Fraud
• [66:16–78:51] Sen. Mike Lee: Constitutionality of the US Action in Venezuela
• [89:17–106:18] Goldie Gamari: Uprising in Iran and US Impact
• [111:46–122:43] Mariana Atanasio: Inside Venezuela After Maduro’s Arrest

Tone and Style

The episode is delivered in Glenn Beck’s signature style—part theorist, part journalist, constantly urging deeper skepticism and critical thinking. He oscillates between direct, chalkboard-style exposition, passionate monologues, and personable interviews. The tone is conspiratorial but grounded in real-world events and features clear, sometimes emotional, testimony from front-line figures.

Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode provides an in-depth analysis of how the Trump administration is executing a new kind of “regime change” on a global scale, not by toppling individual governments, but by re-writing the rules of global power networks, especially in terms of strategic energy control, challenging banking oligarchs, and realigning hemispheric alliances away from both China and the WEF.

Through interviews with investigative journalists and constitutional experts, the program draws a through-line from Minnesota daycare scams and Venezuelan cartel politics to the highest levels of international banking and energy strategy. The result is a portrait of an America willing to act forcefully—legally and strategically—to secure the “arsenal of democracy” and offer a genuine alternative to both the authoritarian Chinese model and transnational oligarchy.
The show concludes with first-hand perspectives from people affected by these policies—giving a sense not just of geopolitics, but of the real lives changed by strategic decisions in faraway capitals.

Additional Notes

• Listeners are encouraged to use glennbeck.com for full content, including behind-the-scenes extras.
• Most advertisements and promotional segments are skipped in this summary.
• The “Torch” concept—new format for the show—mentioned repeatedly as a means to amplify message and reaching beyond tech algorithms.

For a detailed minute-by-minute breakdown, please refer to timestamps noted beside each segment or quote.